Thursday, 29 April 2021

Let us look at the past, the present, and the future of Cambodia’s membership as well as its strategic engagement with ASEAN. In this regard, I wish to share my view, as follows:

FIRST: Looking back into more than two decades of Cambodia’s involvement, experience, cooperation and engagement with ASEAN, it would clearly show Cambodia’s unambiguous commitment, pragmatic leadership and countless contributions to ASEAN, especially the ASEAN integration and community building. Here is a list of some of the highlights:

(1) No doubt, Cambodia had served ASEAN well, twice already as the ASEAN Chair. In addition, Cambodia had hosted, chaired and participated in many ASEAN meetings each year, over the past 22 years.

(2) Since May 2016, Cambodia has been the host of the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Center (ARMAC) in Phnom Penh to benefit ASEAN collectively and the world at large in terms of training and capacity building as well as cooperation in humanitarian sector, research as well as the dealing of the explosive remnants of war (ERW).

(3) Cambodia’s contribution to and active participation in all ASEAN works, from regional integration to community building, from the ASEAN Charter to many other ASEAN agreements and other key documents, from subregional cooperation to external relations and cooperation of ASEAN, among others.

(4) During this 22-year period, Cambodia also had made its contribution to regional peace, stability, security and development, through its cooperation at bilateral, subregional and regional levels of the ASEAN frameworks.

Therefore, in essence, the past 22 years of Cambodia’s membership in this regional grouping have undoubtedly reflected Cambodia’s strong commitment, active participation and contributions to ASEAN.

SECOND: At present, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 global pandemic, Cambodia has indeed remained active in its relations, cooperation, partnership and engagement with ASEAN as well as with all Dialogue Partners of ASEAN. As the integral part of Cambodia’s foreign policy, ASEAN is truly at the heart of Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

(1) As reflected in many of his statements, actions and activities, it has clearly shown that Samdech Techo PM Hun Sen has a strong belief, trust and full confidence in ASEAN, especially in ASEAN’s diplomacy, resilience and leadership. To him, regional peace, stability, security and development are not only important and vital to ASEAN but they are also crucial to each and every Member-State of the ASEAN.

(2) At the recently concluded ASEAN Leader’s Meeting in Jakarta, on 24 April 2021, Samdech Techo PM Hun Sen took the rare opportunity to share his practical experience on ASEAN’s role in Cambodia, Cambodia’s peace process, as well as his view for the support of ASEAN’s role and diplomacy for constructive engagement with the Myanmar situation at this critical juncture, among others.

(3) Samdech Techo PM Hun Sen’s policy of being friends with all countries and an enemy to none is certainly based on his pragmatism, diplomacy, and visionary leadership. And this is also true for Samdech Techo PM Hun Sen’s leadership within ASEAN, which means Samdech Techo PM Hun Sen has continued to push for a deeper ASEAN integration and the continuing building of a true ASEAN community for the benefits of the peoples of this region.

In sum, as an important cornerstone of its foreign policy, Cambodia continues to highly value and to stay fully engaged with ASEAN on all fronts and in all activities at all levels, as well as in all mechanisms of ASEAN cooperation.

THIRD: Looking ahead into the future of ASEAN, I strongly believe that Cambodia will continue to place high priority on ASEAN, in terms of foreign policy and as a matter of national interest of Cambodia.

(1) Cambodia is now the incoming Chair of ASEAN, and will assume ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023, after Brunei. As the ASEAN Chair, like all other Chairs of ASEAN, Cambodia will have the opportunity to assume role and responsibility to define the agenda and priorities of ASEAN in 2023, of course in close consultations with all ASEAN Member Countries. This role of ASEAN Chair is crucial, especially in setting the direction, defining ASEAN’s important agenda, and in engaging with ASEAN’s external relations, in particular all Dialogue Partners of ASEAN.

(2) There is no doubt that ASEAN integration, ASEAN community building, and the maintenance of regional peace, stability and security will continue to be the strategic priorities of ASEAN for next year and in the years to come.

(3) For sure, the more immediate interests to ASEAN, both individually and collectively, and as a matter of urgent priority, are the following: (a) combating the present COVID-19 pandemic and saving lives of the people; (b) the speedy economic recovery of ASEAN; and (c) the full recovery of ASEAN in all dimensions and all sectors of the society, once the COVID-19 pandemic is over (which no one knows for sure when this will take.)

Finally, I am of the view that the future of ASEAN will always remain positive and constructive, given ASEAN’s impressive records of milestone achievements and numerous successes in more than five decades of its regional integration, harmonization, community building, and external engagement, especially with major powers in the region and in the world at large. As an integral part of ASEAN, Cambodia has been a constructive and important member of this regional organization, assuming its role and responsibility, with full commitment, not only in the past 22 years of its most membership but also in the future of ASEAN for the years to come, for the benefits and interests of both Cambodia and ASEAN.

[This is only Kao Kim Hourn’s personal view. It does not reflect the view of the Royal Government of Cambodia.]